Prison Rape Elimination Act

American Behavioral Health Systems is dedicated to the safety of our clients and staff. We strive to meet and exceed the Federal PREA regulations set forth by the Department of Corrections. Both our clients and staff are continuously educated on all PREA standards and expectations.

What is PREA?

The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) was passed in 2003 with unanimous support from both parties in Congress. The purpose of the act was to “provide for the analysis of the incidence and effects of prison rape in Federal, State, and local institutions and to provide information, resources, recommendations and funding to protect individuals from prison rape.” (Prison Rape Elimination Act, 2003). In addition to creating a mandate for significant research from the Bureau of Justice Statistics and through the National Institute of Justice, funding through the Bureau of Justice Assistance and the National Institute of Corrections supported major efforts in many state correctional, juvenile detention, community corrections, and jail systems.

The act also created the National Prison Rape Elimination Commission and charged it with developing draft standards for the elimination of prison rape. Those standards were published in June 2009, and were turned over to the Department of Justice for review and passage as a final rule. That final rule became effective August 20, 2012.

Reporting Information

3rd Party Reporting

ABHS Investigations

ABHS conducts all Administrative Investigations for potential criminal charges and refers for prosecution individuals determined to have participated in such conduct. All potential criminal investigations are conducted by the geographically appropriate local policing agency. In the event there is an active criminal investigation, ABHS investigators will suspend their investigation to allow local authorities to conduct and complete their investigation. Upon completion of the criminal investigation ABHS will conduct their internal Administrative Investigation.